Inclosure for vehicles.



0. L. HERRON. INCLOSURE FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18, I911.

Patented J 11110 15, 1915.

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0. L. HERRONf 1 NCLOSURE FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JANJB, 1911.

1,142,959. Patented June 15, 1915.

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\ Patented J1me 15, 1915.

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OLLIE L. HERRON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. I

INGLOSURE FOR VEHICLES.

Application filed January 18, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, OLLIE L. HERRON a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inclosures for Vehicles, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that class of devices known as vehicle inclosures, and relates particularly to a detachable inclosure for converting uninclosed automobiles or other vehicles into inclosed automobiles or limousines during the winter or severe weather.

By the use of the inclosure hereafter described the less expensive light weight open automobile of any style or type may be readily converted into a limousine, having all the advantages of the latter without any of the disadvantages. While the limousine is very much more expensive and of considerably greater weight than the open type of automobile, the open automobile may be converted into a limousine at a very slight expense with practically no'increase in weight; in fact the additional weight need not be considered. Being lighter in weight, there is not so much danger of skidding, and the efiiciency of the tires is increased and the life of the same prolonged. The present invention, however, should not be confused with temporary side curtains for emergency use in unexpected bad weather, although the structure is extremely simple and may readily be positioned or removed, for. the same is the equivalent and has all the advantages of the permanent limousine structure, and is not intended as a temporary emergency inclosure.

The invention has among its objects the production of a simple, eflicient, convenient,

durable, satisfactory and attractive inclosure of the kind described for use Wherever found applicable.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combi nation of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts :Figure 1 is a side elevation of one side of an automobile body and top with my inclosure applied thereto. Fig.2 is a side elevation of the opposite side of a portion of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15,:w15.

Serial No. 603,315. A,

View showing a modified form of body. Fig. 4: 1s a sectional view taken substantially on line 4, 4 ofFig. 2. Fig. 5 is a front eleyation of a portion of the body, top and mclosure. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantiallyonline 6, 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 isa sectional view taken substantially on line 7, 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a perspective trate my invention as applied to one type of automobile, that is one provided with two seats and with a i-bow top, 1 represents the automobile body provided with seats 2 and 3, it being understood that the same merely illustrates the one type. Supported from the body upon the bows or supports 5, 5 7 and 8 is the top 4', the same having the usual frame part or brace bars 6. The hood for the engine, etcl, is represented by the numeral 9. In the open or touring car shown in Figs. land 2, doors 10 are providedon each side in the body part pivotally'sup-' ported by hinges 11, the body forward the front seat being open on both sides. In the body illustrated in Fig. 3, doors 71 are provided on one or both sides at the front seat, as-fiwill be more fully described hereafter.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, 14 represents a rear curtain extending from the top 4 to the body, and 49 the wind-shield arranged at the dash-board, the two forming end inclosures or walls. Y

My invention consists in providing a suit able detachable supplementary framework and side walls for the open type of automobile, which may be readily removed in the summer and which may be easily applied to the car in the winter, converting the same into a limousine.

In the automobile shown, the supplemental framework comprises detachable uprights 16, 38 and 39 on each side of the body and detachable door frames arranged on the permanent body doors, or in the form' by screws 29,

of supplemental detachable complete doors. The uprights 16 are arranged on each side of the body just forward of the doors 10, the same being detachably secured to the body, as shown to the frames or parts 13 on the body and to the top frames or brace bars 6 in any suitable manner. A. very satisfactory and simple construction is to provide the lower ends of each of the uprights 16 with pins 17 arranged to seat in recesses or depressions in the part 13 of the body. The opposite ends are secured to the brace bars (3 by means of strips 18 secured by the fasteners 19 and 20 or by their equivalents for the purpose. The pins 17 and their recesses are preferably made square or irregular in cross section so that there is no tendency for the lower end of the upright to turn about the pin as a center. The form of the upright of course depends upon the particular style of body and top on which the inclosure is to be used. As shown, it is offset at the lower end slightly so as to extend substantially vertically to the top, giving a finished appearance to the sides.

On the doors 10 are mounted detachable frames, each consisting of the parts 21, 22 and 23, which are secured to the door and to each other in any suitable way. ,A very simple and convenient way of securing the door frame to the top of the body door 10,

so that it is easily detachable, is by means of the pins 28 arranged to seat in the holes 27 at the top of the door, the pins and their holes being preferably square or irregular in cross section. To look the frame in position the lower ends may be connected by a bar 25, which may be turned up so as to be secured to the side of the frame. arts 22 as at26, or extend under the ends 0 the frame, the bar being secured to the top of the door or their equivalents, arranged to engage the door in the holes 30. It will be particularly noted by referring to Figs. 1 and 9 that the door frame part 22 is not positioned or secured directly at that end of the door, but offset somewhat toward the free end. The frame part 21, however, is secured at the free end of the door, so that it lies in close proximity to the upright 16 when the doors are closed.

Secured to the body and top and extending from the end curtain 13 and the part 21 of the door, is a detachable side wall 31 of suitable material, preferably a rubber fabric, or a material that is wind and weather proof and may be easily fitted to the frame work and body. The side wall 31 is secured to the top and body so as to be detachable, fasteners 32 being shown for the purpose, and it is also secured to the detachable door frame part 21. It will be noted that the side wall extends from curtain 1 to the free edge of the door frame or to the upright 16, the same being open substantially along the line 34 so that the door may be open, carrying the frame and that part of the side wall that is secured to the frame which is mounted upon the door. Windows 35 and 36 of suitable transparent material, such as celluloid or the equivalent, may be provided, the same being mounted in any convenient way, a very satisfactory window frame or mounting being hereafter described.

At the forward part of the front seat and at the dash-board or front of the body, 1 provide the uprights 38 and 39, the same being also detachably secured to the body and to the top brace bars 6. Referring par ticularly to Fig. 8, small brackets e0 are provided, each with an opening 42 therein, the uprights 38 and 39 being each provided with pins etl arranged to seat in the holes 42 so that the uprights may he stepped into place. The upper end of the uprights 33 are secured to the bow members 8, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2, in which the opposite side is shown. This construction is similar to that heretofore described for securing the upper ends of the uprights 16 in position. The upright 39 is similarly secured to the top frame.

This side of the vehicle shown in Fig. 1 being ordinarily impassable because of the steering wheei, levers, etc, may be entirely closed, as shown, or it maybe arranged to open similar to the other sides illustrated in Fig. 2, which will be hereafter described. As shown, however, it is closed by the side wall 4:4, which is secured to the upright 16, and er;- tends to the uprights 38 and 39 and down to the floor of- .the body between the uprights, the same beingsecured by the usual fasteners 45, or their equivalents, so that it may be easily detachable. To close the opening to the rear of the upright 38 and below the seat 2, a piece +t8 may be secured the upright by similar to the body and to fasteners used for the other parts of the wall. \Vindows 46 and 17 are shown, it being understood that the sha e and ar rangement of the same may e such as desired.

Nhere the wind-shield .49 and its frame 50, which may be of any suitable style or type, does not extend to the uprights 39, I.

provide a detachable wall 53 on each side which is secured to the upright 39 and to the wind-guard frame and body, As shown an opening 57 is provided forthe wind shield stay 52 to pass through, 58 being a small strip connecting the sides of the opening. i desired wlndows 56 of celluloid or other sui'u able material may be provided.

Referring now to Fig. 2, in which a por tion of the opposite side of the vehicle is shown,

the entrance to the front seat.

a door 69 is provided so as to permit @n this $10.3

I preferably provide the uprights 38 and 49 similar to those described for the opposite side, the rear part of the car being similar to the opposite side. The door 69 comprises frame parts 64:, 65, 64, 66, hinged at 67 to the upright 39, the same being provided with the covering or wall 69 and a window 70. The handleand door lock 68 engaging the other-upright maintains the door closed. It is, of course, understood that the shape of the door, etc., depends upon the particu lar type of automobile on which the inclosure is arranged. The side wall is similar to that on the opposite side except that it extends along the-top ofthe body to the upright 38 and from the upright to the top of the-upright 39, the same being shown as not extending below the member 8 between the uprights. .The same is secured in position by the fasteners 61 and to the top similar to the opposite side. A small piece 62 secured by the fasteners 63 closes the space back of the upright 38 in a similar manner as the piece 48 on the opposite side.

In the type of body shown in Fig. 3, doors 71 are provided at the front seat on one or both sides, the same being supported by the hinge members 72. With this type I provide a frame 79, 80 and 81, detachably mounted upon the door 71, the same being simliar to the frame on the door 10l1eretofore described, except that it is of a little dilferent'shape-in order to fit the bow 8. In this case I extend the side wall 7 6 from the upright 16 over to the upright 75, the same being detachably secured to the top and body and to the upright 16 and door frame 79. The side wall, however, is cut or slit enough to allow the door to swing, and it will be noted that the rear part 8 0 on thedoor frame is secured to the door a little forward of the rear end of the same.

The side walls of the doors 10, as well as the,

doors 71, are provided with openings, flaps 88 covering the openings through the door walls so that the occupants can reach to the outside and unlock the doors.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, windows 6L6,v 70, 77 and 82 of suitable size and shape may be provided. The windows may be secured to the side walls or doors in any suitable way, a very convenient arrangement forsecuring them in position being a frame 85 (see Fig. 12) arranged on one side of the wall at the window opening,as shown on the outside which is provided with lugs 86,

which extend through openings in the fabric I 31 and in the window pane 36, the fabric and pane being clamped between the frame 85 meaerse and the inside frame part by nuts 89 engaging the lugs or extensions 86. The window frame parts 85 and 88 may each be made integrally or made up of parts secured together.

It is of course understood that the exact style or form of the inclosure and shape of the uprights of the supplemental frame will depend more or less upon the vehicle and style of'top to which the inclosure is to be applied, the various makes of automobile difiering to a more or less extent. After the inclosure has been fitted to the vehicle it may then be applied or detached indefinitely. I r

By the use of my inclosure the automobile is inclosed as securely and as effectively as with the permanent walls of the limousine, with the advantage that the walls may be removed when desired and that the car is much lighter than the other limousine, andmuch less expensive.

While the inclosure is shown as applied to a touring car with two seats, it may be modified to fit any type of car, as for example, a runabout, in whichthe curtains 19 are in back of the seat 2, in which case of course the rear inclosure at the rear of the upright 16 would be omitted.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in' the same without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence do not wish to be understood as 1imiting myself to the exact form, arrangement, construction or combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a closure for vehicles, comprising the combination of suitable top and body, an axuiliary door frame comprising upright bars and a top cross piece connecting said bars, said upright bars provided with squared pins at their lower ends, a supporting brace between and secured to said bars, said brace carrying locking pins to lock the auxiliary frame in position, auxiliary uprights de-' tachably connected at one end to the top and at their opposite end to the body of the ve I ULLIE L. HERRON. V Witnesses:

ROY W. I-ILLL, GHARLES I. Conn. 

